Countercurrent extraction apparatus



Jan. 27, 1942.

Filed July 22, 1939 Patented Jan. 27, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE coUNTEncUanuN'r mm'rus axrnaofrloN Reuben F. Pfennig, Baytown, Tex., assignor to ration of Delaware Standard Oil, Development Company, a corpo- Applieation July 22, 1939, Serial No. 285,877

` s claims. (cl. zza-210.5)

Th'e present invention relates to the solvent treatment of oil, especially mineral-` oils. 'Ihe invention is particularly concerned with a novel 'precipitating structure adapted for utilization "between a series of plates or equivalent means nia countercurrent solvent treating system. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a v"series'of columns of parallel surface elements disposed within said treating system. The columns of parallel surfacel elements are so arranged to tively by distillation. yContact between the `respective oil and solvent phase in the countercurrent solvent treating tower is secured by vvarious contacting and distributing means such as packed masses, pierced plates, distributing trays, and the like. The design and character of the means adapted to secure eilicient contact between the respective phases are quite important since form precipitating units. consisting of two columns of flat `parallel surface'elements per precipitating unit, each column being a half unit. 'I'hemechanical structure of the present invention collects dispersed droplets of the respective counter currently iiowing phases and allows them *to combine with the homogeneous phases without disturbance sui'licientv in magnitude to cause remixing, thus securing marked improvement in th'e eiiiciency of the solvent treating operation.

It is known inthe art to treat vegetable,` anii. l mal, and mineral oils, particularly petroleum oils,

with various selective solvents in order to separate the oils into their relatively more aromatic 1 or hydrogen-poor fractions and into their relatively more paraiiinic or hydrogen-rich fractions. In theseprocesses, solvents of the classywhich f have apreferential selectivity for the more aromatic typev compounds are usually employed, asv

for example, phenol, furfural, sulfur dioxide, cresol, nitrobenzene, aniline, beta beta dichlor diethyl ether, and the like, aswell as solvent mixtures of these materials. It is also known to use, in combination with' these solvents, substances which yhave the ability to modify the selectivity and solvent power of the selective solvent, as for'example, substances such as liqueed normally .gaseous hydrocarbons, waters alcohols, glycols, and the like.

Although a batch or semi-batchoperation entirely satisfactory, the usual commercial practice is to contact the oil and solvent in a countercurrent tower treating process. .In this operation the heavier phase,` usually th'e solvent, is introduced intol the top section of a countercurrent the emciency of the entire solvent treating operation is, to a large extent, a function of the contact secured between the respective phases. Contact masses have not been entirely satisfactory since channeling readily occurs. Distributing` trays separating respective stages have the disadvantage that it is rather dimcult in certain operations to separate th'e respective countercurrently ilowing phases which have been extensively intermixed. y Since the eiliciency and capacity of a countercurrent solvent treating tower depend,- to a large extent, upon the rapidity of separation of these highly intermixed phases, it is very desirable that a clear separation occur in a minimum time. yI have now discovered a precipitating structure adapted to be utilized between the distributing plates in a countercurrent I treating tower which' will result in greater eili- .E ciency, of the solvent, treating operation. and

treatingtower, while the lighter phase, usually .the oil, is introduced into the bottom or center portion of the tower. These phases ilow in a countercurrent relationship. Temperature and pressure conditions are so adjusted'to form a solvent-poor or raiiinate phase highly parafiinic in natureand a solvent-rich or solvent extractv phase highly aromatic in'nature. The respective phases are separated ,and ythe solvent is, usually removed from the "extract and railinate respecwhich will materially increase the capacity of the equipment. 4My invention may be readily understood by reference to the attached drawing illustrating one modiiication of the same.

Figure 1 represents a cross section of a countercurrent solvent treating tower, comprising two distributing plates 2 and 2. Figure-2 represents a top view of the lower plate 3 taken from above above plate 2. Walls 1 and I permit the downiiowing phase to leave the stageabove plate 2 and enter the stage between plates 2 and 3, while wells s and III permit the downiiowing phase to leave the stage between 'plates 2 and 3 and enter the stage below plate I. Precipitating structures Il, l2, and I3 are arranged in parallel. Each structure consists of a series of three precipitating .f units. `Each precipitating unit consists of two widely varied. `Although Figure three precipitating structures each comprising 2 vertieal columns of parallel surface elements arranged in a manner to form a trough-like upright `or inverted surface structure having an aperture "a petroleum oil, the solvent being the heavier phase would be introduced into the top of the countercurrent treating tower. The down-flowing solvent would settle upon plate 2 and flow into wells 1 and l, said wells preferably having perforated walls. The solvent from wells 1 and 8 would be ietted into streams of the oil phase ascending through chimneys l and 5 in plate 3.

Complete mixing would be secured inthe zones between well'l and chimney l and between well 8 and chimney 5, resulting in the complete intermixing ofthe respective phases and probably resulting in the for-mation of emulsions. The mixed phases are then passed through precipitating structures II, I2, and I3, so that the downowing phase leaves the stage between lplates 2 and 3 by means of wells i and Il, and

that the upflowing phase leaves said stage by means of chimneys 6 and I5. Interposed in the lines of now of the mixed phases and at or near the points where the respective phases leave the stage ,in question are placedthe precipitating 4 structures of the present invention. These precipitating structures comprise one or more precipitating units consisting of two vertical columns of parallel surface elements so arranged that the two intermixed phases coalesce on said surface elements and iiow with minimum disturbance into the settled layers of their respective phases. r

'I'he apparatus of the present invention may be 1 illustrates three precipitating or coalescing units, it is to be understood that arrvk number of 'coalescing units with or without an extra half unit may be emjployed. The, number employed will depend upto substantially above the outlets of the wells in the plate above.

The aperture at the apex of the angles formed by the respective parallel surfaces of two vertical `columns likewise varies considerably. In

general, jthis aperture varies from one-half to two inches in width and may extend the entire length of the parallel surfaces.

Two-*columns of parallel surfaces are so arranged with respect to each other that the highly intermixed phases from the mixing zonesmay be separated at a reasonable rate. 'I'hey are arranged so that the two pha'ses coalesce on the surface without excessive subsequent mixing and so that the partially collected dispersed phases may iiow with minimum disturbance into the settled layers of the same material. It has been found that desirable results are secured if two columns of parallel surfaces are so arranged that theangle between their respective surface elements is in the range from about 'I5 to 150 degrees. f

VThe typetof, surface usedwill depend, to a large extent, on the general construction of the tower. In general, a nat surface element is preferred. The overall length will be of sufficient magnitude so that it may be readily'welded or attached to the side' of the tower. The thickness of the surface may be of any desired amount in order to secure wearing qualities and will depend, to a large extent, on the particular material being used. The width of the surface isa more important feature and will depend on the size of the tower, the munber of precipitatingunits used, as well as on the character of the solvent and, oil being treated. In general, the

of the two phases, (3) the intimacy of dispersion of the phases, and (4) the rate of settling required. In general, theemore wcous the two on the size-of ythe treating tower and upon the l area of the individual surface elements. In general, it ispreferred to employ from three to six precipitating units per precipitating structure. The number 4of precipitating structures employed is a function-ofthe number of upflow chimneys and downow wells used to permit the respective phases to move from stage to stage. In general, suicient precipitating structures are em'- ployed so that the highly intermixed Phases will have to pass through a precipitating structure before leaving the stage in question.

- The number Vo f parallel surfaces employed in each column will'depend on the distancebetween the respective'- surface elements and also on the .distance between the distributing platesseparating the various stages, as well as upon the number of surface 'elements employed so that the height of the vertical column of parallel surfaces extends-from the surface-uf aplate below phases, the more total effective surface will be required. Furthermore, the spacing between the surface elements should increase with more viscous stocks in order to secure an loptimum design. Similarly, small gravity differentials or increased dispersion between phases favor the use o f more surface elements with greater pitch and sometimes4 closer spacing. 0n the other hand, high velocities and high settling rates usually require more total surface of lower pitch.

In' order to further illustrate the invention, the

`following example is given which should not be construed as limiting the same in any manner whatsoever:

Example l Y e A solvent treating tower twelve feet indiameter and containing fourteen plates two feet apart is constructed in a manner so that there are two 'upiiow chimneys, two downflow wells, and three precipitating structures in and on each plate, said chimneys, wells and precipitating structures being parallel and extending across each plate as parallel chords of a circle. The arrangement of the chimneys, wells, and. precipitating struc.

:tures relative to one another on each plate is as described in connection with Figure 1. The

wells, chimneys, and precipitating structures are sodesigned relative to each other that the eiective unitareas of the precipitating structures cause separation of substantially equal volumes T5011: 1 Tests mi charge stocks of the dispersed phases.

Each coalescent structure on a given distribut- 5 011A 011B ing plate is composed of 90 precipitating surface elements; said elements having av width 0f two Gmvi5y,.4.p.r 21.7 21.5 inches, a thickness suilicient to maintain rigidity gliglll 432g 2g and a length suflicient to permit welding both viwmtyat 100 p A474 459 ends of each element to the encircling wall of Viswlifyt 210 F 5406 527 the tower. The precipitating elements, which 1e0eisiitfmmpe1md -112 g $322 lengthwise are horizontal but breadthwise are inclined at an angle of with respect to the Tsar.: 2

Capacities of solvent treating towers t aplvetomtn 11010.. d0 v u' 1 Precipitatingstructure i per y humo: 'heating Percent u un 0111000 stock Ilm@ tem 100111000 m 1n tower l on e mt met pi- Oil Phenol onlth plate.

Present invention Oil B. 7,200 12,000 1.67 180 2.0 633 .4 0,000 12,000 1.00 i 120 Excessive 052 5,400 0,500 1.70 120 Exeeesive 504 4,400 7,700 1.75 120 00 405 5,400 9,500 1.76 120 Excessive 564 7,200 12,000 v 1.07 100 Excessive 033 5,000 0,100 1.02 100 0.0 435 7,200 12,000 1.07 100 Exeeive 033 5,000 0,100 1.02 100 0.0 435 7,200 12,000 1.07 100 Excessive 033 0,000 10,000 1.07 100 Exeeive 537 5.000 0,100 41.02 100 3.0 435 5,000 0,100 1.02 100 10.0 435 7,200 12,000 1.07 100 Exeesave 033 0,000 .10,000 1.07 100 7.0 537 0,000 10.000 1.07 100 250 531 5,000 0,100 1.02 100 50 435 5,000 0,100 1.02 100 0.0 435 0.000 10,000 1.07 100 220 537 5,000 0,100 1.02 100 4.0 435 0,000 10,000 1.07, 100 10.0 531 5,000 0,100 1.02 100 5.0 435 0,000 10,000 l1.07 100 4.0 537 5,000 0,100` 1.02 150 4.5 435 5,000 0,100 1.02 130 7.0 435 5,000 0,100 1.02 100 a5 435 7,200 12,000 1.07 100 103 033 0,000 10,000 1.07 100 13.0 537 5,000 0,100 1.02 100 35 435 7,000 12,000 1.71 100 220 033 0,000 10,000 1.07 100 20.0 537 given distributing plate, are arranged in six parallel, vertical columns separated by apertures of one-*eighth inch. Each column contains fifteen precipitating surface elements spaced at one and one-half inch intervals; said elements being parallel to each other in a given column but trans-V verse to those in adjacent columns.

,. In the operation of the tower, anhydrous phenol or.aqueous phenol (containing approximately 3% water) is introduced on the fourteenth plate, the oil feed isintroduced on the fourth plate, and additional water in amounts up to 4%, based onthe phenol, is introduced below the first plate in the bottom of the tower. As the oil and phenol pass countercurrent to one another through the tower, the phenol dissolves the more aromatic n constituents of the oil and carries them to the bottom of the'tower where the injected water causes the less aromatic constituents that have dissolved in the phenol to be precipitated, thereby setting up oil reilux in the bottom of the tower. The phenol phase (phenol plus dissolved oil vand water) is withdrawn at the bottom of the tower and the oil phase is withdrawn at the top ofthe tower.

' i 10 Capacity studies of this tower and of similar /towers equipped with-precipitating structures of various other designs (not described) are given From the above data it is apparent that marked advantages are secured bythe apparatus of the present invention.

'I'he precipitating structure hereinabove described is particularly well adapted for use in the solvent treating oi' oils. However, it is to be distinctly understood that such a precipitating structure or modications thereof may be used advantageously in other processesl involving separation of two or more fluids having limited miscibilities and different specincgravities.

The present invention is not to be limited by any theory or mode'of operation, but' only in and by the following claims in which it is desired to claim all novelty in so far as the prior art permits.

I claim: 1. In a solvent treating tower for counter-currently contacting a selective solvent and av liquid containing an extractable component, a plurality inl Table 2. The properties of the'feed stocks employed are as follows:

of distributing plates, opposing inlet means for said solvent and said liquidin successive plates extending between said plates to a point in sutilcient proximity to -each other to form a mixing zone therebetween, outlet means for said solvent and said liquid in said plates at a location removed from said inlet openings. a separator structure between said inlet and outlet openings, said separator structure consisting of vertical columns of longitudinally extending rplate-like elements, the plates in each column being parallel and inclined to the horizontal and the plates in adjacent columns being oppositely inclined and horizontally aligned.

2. A solvent treating tower according to claim 1 in which the vertical columns extend from the surface of the plate below to substantially above the inlet means.

3. A solvent treating tower according to claim 1 in which the inlet means, outlet means and separator means extend from one side of the tower` to the other.

' y REUBEN F. PFENNIG. 

